THE GREAT AMERICAN SOUTHWEST: THE FUTURE OF AMERICA
THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST is the fastest-growing, most dynamic and fascinating part of America. Unlike any other part of the country, looking at the Southwest is not merely gazing upon its vast and rugged natural beauty or looking backward at its rich history; examining the Southwest is peering into the very future of America itself.
Some 80 million people make their homes in the eight states of the Southwest. That's 1-in-4 Americans. As separate nations, California and Texas would each have two of the largest economies on the globe. Nevada is the fastest-growing state in the nation. Other southwestern states including Texas, Colorado, and Arizona are among the top ten. Some of the largest cities in the world thrive here. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix are among the largest metropolitan areas in America. Las Vegas and Albuquerque are two of the fastest-growing.
Of course, the natural wonders of the region abound: high mountains, vast deserts, stone formations and rare but mighty rivers, all teeming with plants and wildlife many of which now struggle to survive climate change. And largely overlooked, the Southwest's human population is just as richly diverse: historic African American, Asian, Native American and Hispanic Americans built the region either in conflict or alongside Anglo Americans. Today, new migrants from other American states, as well as immigrants from Asia and Africa, flock here. How they interact is a model for a nation divided by race.
Yet in the national discussion, the changing American Southwest is often overlooked or mischaracterized. I know because I am a son of the Southwest: born in New Mexico of an Anglo father and a Mexican immigrant mother, raised up and down the Rio Grande, educated in Texas and Louisiana. After decades as a journalist in Washington and abroad, though, I am home now. After chronicling the country and the world for nearly 40 years, explaining my home remains the most important work of my life.
Some 80 million people make their homes in the eight states of the Southwest. That's 1-in-4 Americans. As separate nations, California and Texas would each have two of the largest economies on the globe. Nevada is the fastest-growing state in the nation. Other southwestern states including Texas, Colorado, and Arizona are among the top ten. Some of the largest cities in the world thrive here. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix are among the largest metropolitan areas in America. Las Vegas and Albuquerque are two of the fastest-growing.
Of course, the natural wonders of the region abound: high mountains, vast deserts, stone formations and rare but mighty rivers, all teeming with plants and wildlife many of which now struggle to survive climate change. And largely overlooked, the Southwest's human population is just as richly diverse: historic African American, Asian, Native American and Hispanic Americans built the region either in conflict or alongside Anglo Americans. Today, new migrants from other American states, as well as immigrants from Asia and Africa, flock here. How they interact is a model for a nation divided by race.
Yet in the national discussion, the changing American Southwest is often overlooked or mischaracterized. I know because I am a son of the Southwest: born in New Mexico of an Anglo father and a Mexican immigrant mother, raised up and down the Rio Grande, educated in Texas and Louisiana. After decades as a journalist in Washington and abroad, though, I am home now. After chronicling the country and the world for nearly 40 years, explaining my home remains the most important work of my life.
